Update on Nature Parks Project

New River Land Trust has requested a $1.2 million grant form the Forest CORE Fund, a forest mitigation fund from Mountain Valley Pipeline, to purchase 553 acres of intact forest on Brush Mountain in order to create two adjacent parks: one in the Town of Blacksburg and one in Montgomery County. The acreage to be purchased comprises two properties.

The proposed parks would expand the popular recreation areas of Heritage and Gateway Parks and the Jefferson National Forest. The Poverty Creek Trials Coalition, which is working with the Land Trust to obtain grant funding, would work with the county to develop the trail system in the parks and town. This project would protect an ecologically sensitive scenic area and provide much-needed outdoor recreation opportunities to a growing community.

If successful, the Land Trust plans to turn the land over to the Town of Blacksburg and Montgomery County to create and manage the parks.